'American Idol' shocker: Pia Toscano eliminated

The "American Idol" voters have spoken, shockingly eliminating the incredibly talented (and widely perceived front-runner) Pia Toscano to turn the top 9 into the top 8, and I think it's probably the saddest night of "Idol" I've ever seen.

At the end of the show, after Pia sang -- just because, it seemed, Ryan Seacrest, who looked a little shook-up by the results himself, wanted to hear one more song -- Ryan begged us to stay with the show for the rest of the season.

"We need you," he said, noting that the night proved that we really had to vote for our favorites to keep them in.

But I'm with Jennifer Lopez, who said, after Pia's name was announced, to resounding boos from the crowd (and Randy Jackson shaking his head and mouthing "No, no"), "I have no idea what just happened here. I'm shocked. I'm angry. I don't even know what to say."

Even Randy, who rarely displays anything other than "in it to win it" enthusiasm and "dawg"-gone mild disappointment, confessed that the vote had left him "shocked" and "gutted." Though he was never really mad on the show, he said, "This makes me mad. What is going on?"

Steven Tyler contended that the vote showed an "unforgivable" lack of passion on the voters' part. "They're wrong. I don't know what happened with this," he said.

The credits rolled to shots of wet eyes and the sound of someone –- Pia, one assumes, but really, it could have been anyone -- sobbing.

Someone remind me that it's just a TV show ...

Pia not only had the most beautiful voice in this competition, but also showed one of the most admirable work ethics, and looked and sounded like a million bucks every time she walked out on that stage.

What do I know, but I really thought she had a chance to win it all.

And how brutal is it that, like Casey Abrams before her, she stood with the far-less-talented Stefano Langone in the bottom 2 and watched him be sent to safety as she was sent away.

Oh, cursed "Idol" gods! Is there no way to change the rules retroactively in order to give the judges just one more save and keep Pia around?

Must we really watch Scotty McCreery mug and point and Jacob Lusk preen and shimmy, Paul McDonald sing thinly and Stefano shmaltzily, and not have Pia around to set the stage on fire –- hitting those notes gorgeously full-on and holding them forever -- for the rest of the season?

Cruel, cruel "Idol" voters. I shake my fist at you and take comfort in the knowledge that, what the heck, Pia will have a long, successful career anyway, right? She'll get a record contract and make her way in the music world. Won't she? I mean ... won't she?

What do you think? Please, cheer me up by telling me that you, too, are very sad to see Pia go.

Full Show Tracker coverage of "American Idol"

-- Amy Reiter

Photo: Pia Toscano performs on "American Idol" Wednesday. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox

Comments

[Karuna]

Very happy to see Pia go! The whole package is just so boring.

[Dave]

I totally agree! I thought that she could have gone all the way to win it this season! She's got the voice , the looks , and the personality! I couldn't believe my ears ( and eyes) when she was eliminated tonight.

The only thing that I can hope for is that she becomes more popular (sales wise) that the eventual winner. That would provide me with some very restful sleeps ...

[Tusk]

Well hate to come off miffed but, with this "sausage-fest" even the newly energised Haley and the "badly in need of critical direction but talented" Lauren will be enough to hold my interest.

that and my Lusk tolerance has run its course.

It's likely I might check in for results and highlights but no longer gonna watch... too bad so much potential.

[Nick H.]

I am probably one of the older fans of American Idol. I am 70. I have been
watching for several years and have always felt the only real Idol the show ever produced was Carrie Underwood. Based on some of the past winners, I have long had a feeling that there is/was something wrong with the voting. Tonight when Pia was voted off, I decided I was not going to worry about it any more. I took Idol out of my DVR Series Record schedule and I will no longer watch the show. How disappointing, how bogus. The funny thing is the bottom three were the only ones I voted for last night, and the only one I wanted to win, the only one I was sure would win was Pia.

[Frank Seamans]

You hit the nail on the head... they lost this viewer tonight! No more for me! I almost bolted when Kendra Chantelle didn't make the final 12 and she was better than everybody else... but I hung in there because I thought Pia was the next best and she was still in there... Iggy Pop had me changing the channel but then Pia goes away... that's it for me! Good riddance, American Idol!

[kb1]

I thought before the judges started laying on the praise a little too thick, that Pia picked the wrong Tina Turner song to sing. That song is not an easy one especially for a female because it's way down low, which is why Tina sounds soooo good singing it. I thought the song was "pitchy" and couldn't believe the praise given to her by the jud ges. She's very talented and very pretty, but very boring. Of all the TT songs, she could have picked ANY other one and done well. ALSO, Stefano may not be as talented as she is but he has surprised me alot. And gues what? Girls like him and girls vote. Boy's might think Pia is pretty and fine, but they're not likely to vote. That's why women in the music industry don't have the following that men do, unless girls emulate them. It's the girls driving it. And I'm sorry, but I think Paul is more marketable as a talent than Pia. What everyone will want from Pia is for her to take her clothes off. Paul's voice is like butter.

[Karl]

I'm done too. I am not watching a show where 13 year old girls who flood the phone lines dictate who stays and who goes. This is not a talent show, it's a joke !

[mike]

Pia lost because she didn't appeal to the 12 to 15 year olds girls that will ultimately vote for Paul because he's so cute eeeeeeeeeeek! And Jacob's fat, James has big ears, Stephano is short, Haley is competion to the teenie boppers, Casey is hairy, and Scottie's problem is the south just can't muster enough dumb teenie boppers with cell phones.

[susie]

I'm shocked. Well, she will make it without American Idol. Producers will be scrambling to sign her. Good luck Pia.

[Renee]

OMG , did this really just happen! She should of won it! Does american not know talent... or was there a glitch in the system? I think there definitely should be a revote on this. There is no way in hell that this should of happened. I have totally lost respect for the voters and may not watch the end of this show. Grant you we have alot of talent out there, but Pia... she shined like a real star, every week! I have been watching idol now for 8 years and never an upset like this. I really think that the show needs to recap the votes. I'm sorry but this is sooo wrong! PIA we love you!

[Mom2Five]

I am in shock - totally. But I have been thinking. In reading all the blogs and many articles that I do (admittedly obsessed with idol) - I never even thought to hit redial 100+ times for Pia. I mean why? She has the best voice, and everyone seemed to agree - so she will be safe for a long time right?!? I mean seriously! I didn't need to start dialing and texting numerous times - yet. She was slated to win this thing. Seriously.

And there in lies the problem. Those of us who actually do vote for a person because we like their voice get lost in a sea of people who quote "vote for their favorites". Not necessarily the best singer, but their favorite person. Case in point: my daughter's friend loves Scotty and since she has unlimited texting she votes nonstop until she is made to go to bed. This week was Spring break - she voted the full time. And I know she was not alone. I have adult friends who love Casey. And it goes down the line. It's not about who can sing the best, it is who is YOUR favorite.
Idol IS a TV show, and Ryan says VOTE for your favorites. He never ever says vote for whom you think is the best singer .... you vote for your favorite and if your favorite wins, you will buy the album. It's that simple.

[Victoria]

Yes, I was sad to see Pia go too although I hated that Stefano looked so shocked. The show's concept is for America to vote so anyone really has a shot. I sincerely hope the boo's were because they didn't want to see her go, not because Stefano stayed over her. I think Jacob & Paul are no better than Stefano. I don't see any of those three as American Idols but again, I am not the only one voting. Pia was good and I thought she may win it all. She was kind of the dark horse of the competition. Very quiet, not outgoing and kind of always in the background. That right there could be why she was going home. It's more of a popularity vote sometimes. At this point, I would hope Lauren would take it all.

[Liz]

I was really surprised that Pia go

[Tim Wiley]

Well she did perform a very boring and lesser known song... and she's done so much of the same thing each week...

I think while she was technically a great singer... she was rather bland otherwise and showed none of the personality of the others some of which who are far less technically gifted singers.

I also think this season there is so much great talent left in the pool and it is hard to vote for a clearly superior singer...

And the last thing... Simon Cowell did a great job of helping steer the audience to a solid decision. While the judging an advice is great this year... I don't know if any of the judges are providing us any strong opinions to help us vote if we are undecided.

[David]

Maybe because, despite her great vocals, she's boring as hell!!!

Walk into any Church on a Sunday morning with a halfway decent music program there are 10 Pia's in the choir. Great big voices with no personality is just plain boring.

[Fred]

With Idol falling into the swirl of the toilet last year, they began making rule changes as they went. Suddenly we have Simon starting up a show that will most likely kick their ass once and for all so they needed "drama" to attempt to spike some interest/ratings.
Well Idol, you got your drama but you lost this family as viewers of your crap. If it were even remotely believable that the votes actually tallied out to 'can' Pia I might allow my family to watch your show again but it just isn't believable! There are 3 others that should already be gone if this really is voted on based on talent or Wednesday's performances. I just don't believe America hosed the vote that badly..........
So long Idol. I'll help Simon lay you to rest next year..........
PS: Do you by chance have Charlie Sheen in charge of the vote counting?? Say it ain't so..............

[wilbert]

I can't believe the result tonight..........what had happent to America.. first we voted republicans back to congress and see what happen no budget and now we voted out Pia?????????? what is wrong...... sad so sad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its the judges fault as well, they used their save to save KC, betweek KC and Pia I think is more deserving of that save.....who is to blame here?????????????????????????????

[Keith Miller]

Its a sad night for American Idol. I will watch, but will not vote. Pia will go far in her own right. Good luck to her.

[LORI SUSAN]

I AM SO SURPRISED THAT PIA WAS VOTED OFF... SHE WAS BY FAR THE BEST ON THE SHOW..... FROM THE TIME SHE FIRST PREFORMED I WAS CERTAIN SHE WOULD WIN... SHE SANG SO BEAUTIFULLY AND STOOD OUT AMONG THE OTHER SINGERS ..... I FEEL A GREAT INJUSTICE HAS BEEN MADE AND VERY DISAPOINTED IN THE DECISON OF THE VOTERS OF THIS SHOW.... MAKES ME WANT TO NOT WATCH WHO WINS ... SO UPSET.... I WISH HER THE BEST IN HER FUTURE CAREER I KNOW WE HAVE NOT HEARD THE LAST OF HER,,, MY BEST TO A TALENTED WOMAN.....

[Julia]

Pia was fantastic. I will no longer watch this show for the remainder of the season. There should be a split for the voting with the judges. The demographics of the voters I'm guessing are largely kids and Pia sings ballads, which wouldn't be their #1 choice. Pia was the most talented and this season has so much talent. I love all of the singers...okay, there are two that I don't like too much..okay three but Pia? She should win the competition.

Bring her back Idol. Everyone is saying they are not watching the show anymore this season. You will lose viewers by the thousands. I for one.